DISCLAIMER: I don't do "draft grades". I love to read other people's, but in my opinion they are essentially useless random letters assigned to make the writer feel like his evaluation is more important than it really is. How can you grade a pick for a player that has never played in the NFL? Before you grade a team's draft, please consider the following: Ryan Leaf, Matt Leinhart, Charles Rogers. Now consider: Tom Brady (6th round pick). Given my complete undying faith in GM Jerry Reese; my grade would always be "A++++"
IN REESE WE TRUST
I don't think I've ever been so lost with forming an opinion on a draft pick. Last year, every pick the Giants had made sense to me. Selecting Paul-Pierre at 15 was proof that Jerry Reese was no liar when he said they'll pick based on best talent available and not just on team need. My initial reaction was that this was the end of Osi, given all the off-season drama and him losing his starting job last season. So it's all the more puzzling when Reese steps up and says this:
“We’re not trading Osi, so you don’t even have to ask that question,” Reese said. “I know that’s on everybody’s mind. We’re not trading Osi. We’re satisfied having the defensive ends that we have.”
Ok, now I'm really lost, but maybe the trade bait everyone should be looking at isn't Osi, but Kiwanuka. Other teams have inquired about dealing for him for the last few years (Browns actually thought they could get him for Braylon Edwards last year). Just a thought.....
Ok, now I'm really lost, but maybe the trade bait everyone should be looking at isn't Osi, but Kiwanuka. Other teams have inquired about dealing for him for the last few years (Browns actually thought they could get him for Braylon Edwards last year). Just a thought.....
Positive - The word I keep hearing to describe him is "freak" and its hard to look at his size and skills, hear the word freak and not think Jevon Kearse. The Giants are a team known for a big pass rushing defense and last year it was non-existent. My real feeling is that the downfall was all caused by a lack of push at DT, but a defensive end like this should make an immediate impact. Plus, he's 6'5" 270 and he can do 13 back-flips in a row. <---SERIOUSLY, CLICK THAT!
Negative - I don't see a downside with the player as much as I see a downside with the pick. The team was in need of a franchise middle-linebacker, an EFFECTIVE defensive tackle, depth at the O-line, maybe some running back insurance (although I expect big things from Andre Brown). I expected one of those to be addressed with the first pick. Now we have a 5th starting caliber defensive end (with Tollefson arguably the 4th). Really, my feeling is that instead of taking a great talent at a position where we already have 2 Pro-Bowlers at that position; why not trade out of the 15th pick and land more depth later?
Now on to the more sensible picks....
ROUND 2 - Linval Joseph DT, East Carolina, 6'4" 328 LBs
WOW....he's a big'n. A number of Big Blue fans have been throwing out the idea of a 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense for a while and when I saw this pick, I couldn't help but immediately think 3-4. At 328 he's got nose tackle written all over him.
Positve - I absolutely love that they addressed the DT issue from last season. In 2009 the team was supposedly "stacked" at this position after investing a boatload of $$$ in Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty. Both started off injured, both continued to struggle and both were overpaid for. At least with Canty, there's hope it was an off year, but this draft pick has to be a sign that Bernard will be cut VERY soon. Don't blame Osi, Tuck or Kiwi for the lack of sacks last year; the complete lack of push and containment by Robbins, Canty, Cofield, etc. in the middle allowed double-teams all over Tuck and Osi. Joseph along with Jay Alford coming back from the IR will help alleviate that.
Negative - Could have addressed a bigger issue at linebacker by taking Sean Lee. Instead he'll be a headache for us twice a year on the Cowboys.
Positive - C.C. Brown. There I said it. All of us Giants fans know what it means. Don't scratch your head at this for too long after the Giants signed star safety Antrel Rolle. Future star Kenny Phillips is coming off some tough surgery which at least some folks are saying he may not fully recover from. So, given the absolutely dismal, atrocious, horrific...well there aren't enough negative adjectives....TERRIBLE play by the Giants secondary last year, this pick makes perfect sense. He can step up as a starter if Phillips struggles and if he's not ready, he'll be groomed by Rolle and new veteran workhorse Deon Grant. Not a bad crew to tutor a safety...
Negative - 3rd round pick....still no O-line depth added and ......oh yeah....WHERE'S MY MIDDLE LINEBACKER????
THERE HE IS!!! For those who may have been out of touch: Antonio Pierce, linebacker guru and "quarterback of the defense" went out last year with what was talked about as a career ending neck injury. So he was cut, which just about breaks my heart, because nobody on that team lead the D like he did. His audible calls put them in great position on every play, but his slowing speed and injury leave us today with a big hole at middle linebacker to now be filled by Phillip Dillard.
Positive - Ok he's not McClain, or Weatherspoon or Lee, but I think this another case of genius Jerry Reese finding BIG value deep in the draft (see Steve Smith, Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss or Brandon Jacobs for other examples). Coming out of Nebraska I'd expect him to be a starter week 1 unless Mike Goff puts up an impressive camp and pre-season.
Negative - He's not McClain. Screw you Al Davis...
Positive - This is one of those all according to plan picks. The Giants O-line has been amazing, but guys like Seubert and McKenzie are starting to wear down and its time to start planning for the future. This creates the depth they need at the O-line and with Petrus' strength, he should develop into a solid guard
Negative - A bit surprised they didn't go for a tackle. Last year's pick William Beatty was showing signs of being our new left tackle and most Giants fans are waiting for Diehl to move back to guard. So, I had expected a tackle to come in for the now injury prone Kareem McKenzie. Perhaps Beatty will be at right tackle and Seubert will be challenged for his starting spot by Petrus?
ROUND 6 - Adrian Tracy DE, William & Mary, 6'3" 248 LBs
Positive - Don't know much about him, so I was lost when I saw they took another DE, but apparently he's more of a LB/DE hybrid. This will add some depth at the Giants weak LB crew, but coming out of the 6th round, this is a practice squad/special teams pick for sure.
Negative - A little surprised they didn't go secondary or O-line here to had depth to their more troubled spots
ROUND 7 - Matt Dodge P, East Carolina, 6'1" 224 LBs
I initially though we picked the punter of the future to learn behind Feagles, but was saddened to hear this morning that Jeff Feagles, after signing a new deal, has reconsidered and is expected to retire. Bash his lack of strength all you want, but nobody hits the coffin corner like him. I only hope he stays on to coach Dodge.
Positive - It means we can expect punts from our own end to actually cross mid-field! More importantly and possibly the GREATEST thing about this pick, is that he has kickoff skills. I have a bald spot from pulling hair out while watching Tynes kickoff to the 10 yard line or try some kind of experimental squib nonsense. Weak kickoffs cost the Giants some valuable field position all season long in 2009, so hopefully Dodge can step up and get us some touchbacks.
Negative - It's a 7th round pick for a punter....can there really be a negative here?
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